Launch Postponed Due to Performance Problems
Amazon’s highly anticipated AI-powered Alexa upgrade is facing delays and won’t be available until at least March 31 or later, according to a report from The Washington Post. The company had initially planned to launch the enhanced voice assistant as a free trial shortly after its announcement event on February 26. However, internal sources indicate that the postponement is due to the assistant struggling with accuracy in its responses during testing.
An anonymous Amazon employee revealed that the upgraded Alexa is still providing incorrect answers to test questions, prompting the company to hold back its release. Amazon has been working on integrating generative AI into Alexa, aiming to offer a more interactive and personalized experience. The revamped assistant is expected to come with advanced capabilities, such as recalling past conversations, adopting different personalities, ordering takeout, and even calling a taxi. While Amazon has not officially commented on the delay, the company is reportedly considering tying these features to a subscription model.
Challenges in Alexa’s AI Evolution
This delay comes after months of speculation about Amazon’s struggles with the Alexa upgrade. The company had initially announced its goal to “supercharge” the virtual assistant in 2023, stating that the improvements would roll out over several months. However, the progress has been slower than expected. Reports suggest that beta testers have encountered problems such as slow response times, rigid conversational abilities, and less-than-useful interactions.
Originally, Amazon had aimed for a late 2024 launch, but internal challenges pushed the timeline forward. The latest setback raises further concerns about whether the company can successfully position Alexa as a competitive AI-powered assistant. Despite the widespread popularity of Alexa-enabled devices, Amazon faces increasing pressure to keep up with its rivals, particularly as AI-driven assistants become more sophisticated.
Tough Competition from Apple and Google
Amazon is not the only tech giant struggling with AI assistant upgrades. Apple is reportedly facing its own issues with an upcoming Siri enhancement, which was initially expected in iOS 18.4. However, according to Bloomberg, Apple may need to scale back the update’s capabilities or delay the launch until iOS 18.5, which could arrive as early as May.
Meanwhile, Google appears to be leading the AI assistant race with its Gemini-powered digital assistant. The company has been aggressively integrating generative AI into its ecosystem, giving it an edge over competitors. As the battle for AI dominance intensifies, Amazon’s delay in rolling out its Alexa upgrade could put it at a disadvantage. Consumers and industry analysts will be watching closely to see whether Amazon can resolve these issues and deliver a more powerful and reliable Alexa experience in the coming months.
